New stronger storm takes aim at Quebec and Ontario

Strong winds late Thursday afternoon produced significant blowing and drifting snow after 25 to 40cm fell across the Montreal region. Another major snowstorm is on the way for Sunday into Monday for southern Quebec. (Valley Weather Photo) 

After the biggest storm in nearly two years swept across southern Quebec, closing over 1200 schools and slowing travel, we are looking at an even stronger storm system from late Saturday into Monday morning.

Thursday's storm dumped 34cm at Trudeau Airport, bringing the monthly total to 54.8cm, already more than January, and above the long-term average for the entire month of February, 49cm. The storm also produced strong winds on the backside of the system late in the afternoon through midnight, with gusts up to 70 km/h. Those winds caused significant blowing snow, reducing visibility and drifting the 30 plus centimetres of snow across several roads. Highway 40 was closed at the Ontario border, as was Highway 13 in both directions Thursday evening after blowing snow made the airport tunnel dangerous. Conditions improved late in the evening. As much as 45cm fell north of Montreal at Saint-Sauveur, with 35cm falling in Ottawa.

Arctic high pressure will build into Montreal for Friday and early Saturday, with sunny skies, winds will remain brisk, with a high of -6C (21F). Friday night will be frigid and moonlit, with deep snow cover and ideal radiational cooling, the low dips close to -20C (-4F) for many locations. Saturday will feature increasing clouds ahead of our next storm.

Low pressure is forecast to develop over the Ohio Valley on Saturday and move very close to Montreal on Sunday. This storm is expected to deepen rapidly, becoming significantly stronger than Thursday's storm. Some models have the storm deepening to a sub 980mb low near Montreal. This will introduce another round of heavy snow on Sunday across southern Ontario and Quebec, along with strong winds and blowing snow. It is too early for specific amounts, but 30cm plus is not out of the question.

I will update this story frequently over the next 24-36 hours.

Plan on very difficult travel Sunday into the morning commute Monday morning. With the volume of snow already down on the city, Monday may prove difficult negotiating any street that does not have Thursday's storm cleared away yet.